My phone rang in the dead of night. The dim gray light broke through the darkness of my bedroom as vibration rattled through my nightstand and my ringtone broke through the silence. I forgot I’d changed it recently, and the sudden tone of the drowning theme from those old “Sonic the Hedgehog” games is certainly one way to be awakened at such early hours. It’s still dark outside.

I rolled over after gathering my wits - don’t laugh at me. The ringtone breaking through my sleep scared me shitless. I was met with a sight that made my heart sink past my stomach. My director, Dr. Sandra Kline, was on the other end of the line. “Shit.” I muttered, clearing my throat to sound somewhat alive. I hadn’t caught the time. Was I late?

“Dr. Kline?” I answered, pulling the phone to my ear as I worked to get my voice caught up to my sudden alertness. “What time is it.”

“Miles.” She answered, voice clinical as ever. “The time on the clock is irrelevant. We’ve found something in the ice.”

That started me. I got up, bare feet padding against cold carpet. “Found something? Can’t even give me a goddamn ‘good morning’ before you drop something on me?”

I heard her stifle a laugh from the other side of the line. “Ohh, I could always leave you in more than the dark of your bedroom if you’re uninterested.” She mused, and I panicked a little. “Alright, you got me. I’m up and listening.” I rasped.

“The crew dug up something metallic. Unnatural.” Sandra said, her tone coming back to that cold, clinical drone that was etched in my mind. “Ground crew said it’s a sci-fi fan’s wet dream. Satellite images confirm what we think we’ve found.” I stopped sliding a sock up my foot as she said that. “Sci-fi fan’s wet dream? What’d we find? Han Solo’s ship in the ice?”

“Shut up.” She said shortly. “Okay, I’m sorry, that was harsh.” She then said after a beat. “Just get down here. Briefing at three-fifteen sharp. Fresh coffee and breakfast.” With that, she killed the line.

“Always teasing me.” I thought aloud, pulling my sock up. Who did she think she was? Calling me at three or so in the morning, just to be vague about whatever massive thing they dug out of the ice? I was a little irked as I finished dressing. She always does this. First with the cave discovery, then with the unknown fossils in them. Now, with this. I slid my heavy coat on, ready to head out between our buildings in the icy air.